Safeguarding Policy
The purpose and scope of this policy statement
Verse and Voice Education is a bespoke education service for young people who wish to study, learn new skills, improve their work and gain confidence. I provide one-to-one or small group teaching for school and home educated students in subjects of their choice, with a particular emphasis on learning through experience and using physical resources to support understanding.
The purpose of this policy statement is:
• To protect children and young people who receive Verse & Voice Education’s services from harm.
• To provide staff, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.
Legal framework
This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from nspcc.org.uk/childprotection.
We recognise that:
• The welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take
• Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare
• All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse
• Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
• Extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse.
We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:
• Valuing, listening to and respecting them
• Adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies,
procedures and code of conduct for staff
• Developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related
procedures
• Recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance [more information about this is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office: ico.org.uk/for- organisations]
• Sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions
• Making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern
• Using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately
• Using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff appropriately
• Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise
• Ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place
• Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, and staff, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance
• Building a safeguarding culture where staff, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.
Verse and Voice Education is run solely by myself, and I am the only adult who will be in contact with students. I create a safe environment where students are able to express themselves and their feelings. I complete annual safeguarding training for young people, including a suicide awareness course and I hold an enhanced DBS. I have public liability insurance for myself and my teaching space. Please contact me on 07788 652189 with any complaints or concerns about myself or a child’s safety whilst in my care.
NSPCC Helpline
0808 800 5000
Childline
0800 1111
We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.
This policy was last reviewed: December 2023
Signed: K Alfieri
Date: 6/12/23